Ducks pick up Robidas, deal Penner and Fasth

ANAHEIM -- Maybe the Ducks' Bob Murray is true in claiming that he isn't swayed by what other Western Conference contenders have done or will do ahead of Wednesday's NHL trade deadline.

But the general manager of the NHL's top team wasn't going to sit idly by. Murray took a big cut and connected with a flurry of deals Tuesday -- and might be ready to take an even bigger swing.

The Ducks acquired veteran defenseman Stephane Robidas from Dallas and sent left wing Dustin Penner to Washington and goalie Viktor Fasth to Edmonton in separate transactions. And they may not be done.

It is believed that the Ducks are trying to acquire Vancouver center Ryan Kesler, whom they would like to form a one-two punch in the middle with Hart Trophy candidate Ryan Getzlaf. Other possible options are Buffalo's Matt Moulson and the New York Islanders' Thomas Vanek.

But Kesler is seen as their clear top target. The price would be steep but the Ducks have several young forward prospects along with two first-round and two second-round picks in the draft this June. Murray said Tuesday that "there's never a final move."

Kesler leads the Canucks with 21 goals and was in their lineup Tuesday night against Phoenix. He has two years remaining on his contract at $5 million per season, something the Ducks can fit within their budget.

It would be quite a response to St. Louis picking up goalie Ryan Miller and gritty winger Steve Ott last week, though Murray said "what other teams do have no effect on me whatsoever."

"This answer gets boring to you guys but the phones are still ringing and I’m still making calls," Murray added, speaking generally. "As is every other general manager in this league. And I have no idea what the next [few] hours is going to bring. I have no idea.

"We'll keep working and if I can make a hockey deal that makes sense and makes this hockey team better, we will do it."

The Ducks essentially swapped Penner for Robidas as they acquired a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2014 draft from Washington and then sent it to Dallas for Robidas, a 14-year veteran known for his toughness and ability to eat up minutes on the blue line.

The fourth-round selection will turn into a third-round pick for the Stars if the Ducks advance through two rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

"We had set a goal, and I told you guys before, that if I can get a right-hand shot defenseman, a sort of shutdown-type of guy that plays hard, we were going to try to accomplish that," Murray said. "That was one of our needs.

Murray added that he's "always liked how hard he competes, how hard he plays" and that Robidas "can do more than shut down."

Robidas, 37, is in the final year of a deal that carries a $3.3 million salary cap figure and can be an unrestricted free agent in July. The Ducks picked up added cap room by dealing Penner ($2 million) and Fasth ($2.9 million).

Murray said Robidas is expected to report Thursday. Robidas spent the last nine full seasons with Dallas and, counting an earlier stint, played in 11 years with the Stars.

"I called Dallas home," Robidas said. "I’ve been here for a long time. But having a chance to join a team of the quality that Anaheim has, I’m very, very excited. I talked to their GM, and we’re going for a Stanley Cup.

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